The Red Mansions

Chapter 505 Confiscate Zhongshun Palace!

Zhongshun Wangfu, in the evening, the golden afterglow of the sunset falls on the courtyard with carved beams and painted buildings, cornices and bucket arches. After the rain, the glazed tiles are as bright and clean as a mirror, and you can see the shadows of people. A few swallows who returned early, holding spring mud in their mouths, flew over the roof in pairs , lingering under the eaves, as if looking for a place to build a nest.

Today the sky is clear and the weather is clear, and the spring is bright and beautiful. However, as far as Prince Zhongshun is concerned, there is no joy of clearing up after the rain.

Because at noon, the decree to abolish King Zhongshun as a commoner was sent to Prince Zhongshun's mansion through the cabinet and under the countersignature of the six divisions.

In the flower hall, there are many figures, surrounded by pearls and emerald greens, and Yingying, swallows and swallows gather in this hall.

Several concubines of King Zhongshun, Concubine Wu, Concubine Zhang, Concubine Yang and others were sitting in the hall in groups, with anxious faces, bewildered.

"Can you see the prince?"

Concubine Wu got up from her seat, and anxiously asked the little prince Chen Rui who had returned from outside.

It turned out that Chen Rui went out through the backyard, through a remote path that is rarely known, and climbed over the wall to inquire about news.

Chen Rui sighed, and said: "Mother, I haven't seen anyone, I just heard that the father has been taken to the Inner Factory Prison, and will be taken to Gongling tomorrow."

Concubine Wu's face turned pale when she heard the words, she couldn't help but took a few steps back, sighed, and said, "What can I do?"

Concubine Zhang, Concubine Yang and others also had sad faces and sighed.

"Have you sent a letter to Sichuan?" Concubine Wu asked again.

Chen Rui said: "I've gone to the letter with my brother, but Chengdu is a long way away, I'm afraid it will be a month or two before my brother receives the letter."

Concubine Yang frowned her beautiful eyebrows, and said anxiously: "Sister, the lord is getting old, so how can he be able to bear it when he goes to Gongling to do heavy work?"

"Sister, why don't you go into the palace and beg the Queen Mother and Empress Dowager." Concubine Zhang said with a flash of light in her heart.

Concubine Wu shook her head, and sighed: "The palace is getting angry now, besides, there are people from Jinyi Mansion outside now, so it's not easy to go out because of restrictions on entry and exit."

Chen Rui can still climb over the wall, but they are women, can they still fly over the wall?

That is to say, when we got to the gate of the palace, the empress and empress dowager probably disappeared.

Concubine Yang Yurong Longshuang said in a waxy and soft voice with eagerness: "Then what should we do, should we just watch the prince be exiled to Gongling?"

Concubine Wu said with a gloomy expression: "At this point, the decree has been issued at home and abroad, and the prince's abolition as a commoner is a foregone conclusion. I can only think of begging for kindness to continue the line of loyalty and obedience."

As soon as these words came out, Concubine Zhang and Concubine Yang's complexions changed slightly, and various thoughts surged in their hearts.

For example, after being married for many years, they still have unswerving feelings for King Zhongshun, but that is not the case. It is just a worry that there will be no eggs under the nest.

A new problem is on the table, will his son's inheritance of the title be affected?

At this moment, through the bead curtain, Wei Lan looked at the few people coldly, her eyes flickering with coldness, then she put down the curtain and went to look for Qi Guan'er.

Compared to Chen Rui who was just a tool to take revenge on King Zhongshun, Wei Lan found that that handsome official seemed a little different from ordinary men.

Just when the female family members of Zhongshun Prince's Mansion had different thoughts and were worried about the "way out", suddenly, a steward came from outside the hall, and said in a hurry: "Ma'am, it's not good, people from Jinyi Mansion broke in again. "

People from Jinyi Mansion came in once when Jia Heng brought people to collect evidence, and then Captain Jin Yi obeyed Jia Heng's order to closely monitor and guard Zhongshun Prince's Mansion, not to enter the courtyard at will to offend.

"What are they doing here again?" Chen Rui asked angrily with a gloomy expression.

Concubine Wu raised her eyes and stared blankly at the outside of the courtyard, vaguely guessing something.

Concubine Zhang spoke out straight away, and said in a trembling voice, "Could it be that you came here to raid the house?"

Copy the house?

It was as if a biting cold wind blew through the hall, making everyone shiver.

Without time to think about it, following a burst of shouting, in the courtyard, a large number of captains wearing flying fish suits and embroidered spring knives came, surrounded by a young man in python suits. face.

Jia Heng!

Chen Rui stared angrily, wishing to eat his food raw.

Concubine Yang's graceful and beautiful face with the temperament of Jiangnan is also full of shock and anger. This woman who was born in Wudi looked at Jia Heng and others who entered the hall. Trembling, he asked, "You... what are you doing here again?"

Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "By the order of the Holy Majesty, the family assets of the imperial mausoleum for corruption will be sealed up for audit to make up for the shortfall. Now the Jinyi Mansion has sealed off the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other relevant officials. After interrogation, the Ministry of Industry For more than ten years, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has embezzled at least 600 million taels of silver from Xiuling, and Prince Zhongshun has distributed at least more than 400 million taels of spoils."

"This..." The people present couldn't help feeling awe-inspiring when they heard this.

It's really a scam!

Concubine Wu was so angry that she trembled, she scolded: "Jia Ziyu, this is the palace of the prince, even if it is a house raid, it has its own clan mansion and the head of the house of internal affairs, so don't bully people too much!"

Jia Heng's face was indifferent, and he said in a deep voice: "Concubine Wu's words are absurd. This is the order of the sage. We are ordered to do errands. How can we deceive others? Besides, King Zhongshun has been abolished as a commoner, and this is not the palace!"

"Come here, seal up the treasury, count silver, silk, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, and register and make a book for inspection!" Regardless of the horrified and terrified members of the Zhongshun Palace's female relatives, Jia Heng shouted heavily, He commanded the Jinyi guards behind him.

"Yes, my lord!"

Immediately, all the school captains in Jinyi responded loudly, inside and out, in order, almost shaking the roof tiles, and also made the three concubines and other female relatives in the hall choke back the quarrelsome words on their lips.

Watching a group of Jinyi school captains scatter in all directions, searching for their belongings.

Chen Rui was almost furious, his eyes were bloodshot, and he said angrily: "Jia Heng, I will fight with you!"

However, before he got close to Jia Heng, he saw two captains in Jinyi with big arms and round waists and indifferent faces in front of him, blocking his way and pushing him to the ground severely.

Jia Heng looked coldly at Concubine Wu who had lost her face, and asked, "Ms. Concubine Wu, is Chen Rui trying to resist the order and attack and kill the imperial envoy?"

Concubine Wu's complexion changed suddenly, and she argued anxiously: "No, Rui'er was just being reckless for a while, and she didn't intend to resist the order."

The other concubines Zhang and Concubine Yang also showed fear on their faces.

These wives who were pampered and pampered in the backyard only realized at this moment that with the downfall of King Zhongshun, they no longer had the confidence to question and resist when faced with the shouting and questioning of a governor in fine clothes.

Jia Heng sat on a chair at the side and said: "Madam Wu, I don't need to worry about this time, but if there is any opposition to the Holy Will, I will never tolerate it!"

Then, a group of Jinyi school captains began to block and search Zhongshun Palace, and the entire female family of Zhongshun Palace were also driven to a few houses in the backyard, and they were not allowed to move rashly.

As time passed, the property of the palace was also concentrated in the treasury and several courtyards, and Liu Jixian, a thousand households in brocade clothes, came in and reported: "My lord, the silk and cash in the treasury have been sealed and are being registered. "

Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "Strictly watch it, and wait for the people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to come and count."

Liu Jixian responded with his fists in his hands.

Jia Heng turned his head to look at Concubine Wu and the others, and said, "Concubine Wu, Prince Zhongshun has been in charge of the House of Internal Affairs for many years, and he is still greedy and ignorant in the House of Internal Affairs. After the Ministry of Internal Affairs completes the audit of the relevant vacancies, how much is missing in the Palace of Zhongshun? How much to pay, but Concubine Wu can rest assured that the mansion of the Prince's Mansion was built by the Ministry of Households at the time, and it would not be taken away without an imperial decree, and the concubine and her family would not be left to sleep on the streets without food and clothing."

Although King Zhongshun was abolished as a commoner, he was the son of heaven's brother after all, so it was impossible to take over the mansion and let a family member of King Zhongshun wander on the streets, damaging the dignity of the Tian family.

At this moment, apart from Chen Rui, the general of Zhen Guo, who was staring angrily, Concubine Wu and the others all looked at Jia Heng with horrified faces when they heard the words. They were shocked beyond words.

Looking at the family members of Zhongshun Palace and other women who were as frightened as quails, Jia Heng lost interest, got up, told Liu Jixian to deal with the rest properly, and was about to leave for Jinyi Mansion.

However, at this moment, a guard from the outside reported: "Lord Governor, Princess Jinyang has come to the front hall of the mansion, saying that she is here to receive the account books."

Jia Heng was startled when he heard this.

He thought to himself, Jinyang is not slow to come, but he just sent his subordinates, so why come here in person?

Well, maybe it's the same as what he thinks.

When Concubine Wu heard the arrival of the eldest princess of Jinyang, her heart was undoubtedly shocked, and the look of hope appeared in her eyes again.

Concubine Yang said anxiously: "I'm going to see the eldest princess."

Jia Heng glanced at Concubine Yang and the others, and said in a cold voice: "Concubine Yang, please be safe and don't be impatient, Your Royal Highness is coming right now, and I have something to say later."

Not long after, Princess Jinyang, accompanied by female officials Xishuang, Lianxue and other female officials, entered the hall, not far away was Yuan Chun who was wearing a Zanshan female official's robe.

The eldest princess of Jinyang wears a red pleated skirt inside and a light blue cloak outside. Her temples are pulled high, her hair is delicately swayed in a golden bun, and her jade skin is as beautiful as snow. Her beautiful eyes flashed past several people, and finally landed on Jia Heng's face, asking, "Why is Dudu Jia here?"

Jia Heng approached, cupped his hands and said: "I have seen Your Highness, I have been ordered by the Holy Majesty to seize the family assets of the imperial criminals involved in the corruption case in the imperial mausoleum, and they have been sealed up in the treasury of Prince Zhongshun for the Ministry of Internal Affairs to check."

At this moment, the young man clasped his fists in both hands, holding a very respectful salute. The emerald button hidden in the middle of the wingless mountain crown was slightly tilted, and the black string that tied the crown was tied from the cheeks on both sides to the lower jaw. , the snow-white is almost spotless, with sharp eyebrows and clear eyes, and a solemn voice.

But in the eyes of Yuan Chun who was behind this scene, Liu Ye's thin eyebrows were raised, and a layer of embarrassment appeared in her beautiful eyes.

Secretly thought, the two of them looked exactly the same, and they really pretended to be alike. She saw clearly that day that Brother Heng made His Highness pouted...

Well, at this time, she suddenly remembered what to do?
The eldest princess of Jinyang looked at the young man, and there was something strange in her heart, her jade face was as cold as frost jade, and she said: "Jia Dudu is dead, because he was doing business for the emperor."

At this time, Concubine Wu approached, her gaze could hardly be separated from Princess Jinyang, and she called out eagerly, "Sister Jinyang, Jinyi searched the mansion and blocked the treasury wantonly, is this the order of the Holy Majesty?"

The eldest princess of Jinyang frowned, turned around a thick peachy Li Yurong, looked at Concubine Wu, and said: "Sister-in-law, we are all ordered by the emperor, and today we have someone check the account books of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I found out that Brother Zhongshun has been greedy and embezzled money from the internal money these years, and the provinces paid tribute to the treasures in the palace to play with. As long as there is a share in the palace, Brother Zhongshun also has a share. I heard that Brother Wang is in Xishan The Xiaolu Garden, which is about to be completed...is a gathering of talented craftsmen from the south of the Yangtze River, and they are extremely luxurious and magnificent. Tricks on the imperial mausoleum!"

Speaking of this, his complexion paused, and he said in a clear voice: "Sister-in-law is a sensible person. Brother Huang is worried about the use of the treasury all day long. Brother Zhongshun is so ignorant of the general situation. Not only does the father and the emperor Brother is disappointed, I am afraid that the subjects of the world will also be disappointed with the Tian family when they hear about it."

With these words, even Jia Heng took a peek at Princess Jinyang.

Although Li'er is like a wolf and a tiger, she is a bit greedy, but she is not a lustful slut, and her knowledge is beyond the comparison of ordinary women.

Back then when he got his favor, it was because of his talent.

If the Tian family can't lead by example, and the son has no loyalty and filial piety when building his father's mausoleum, and is greedy and invading, what should the subjects of the world think?
That's right, if you follow the example, the hearts of the people will be confused!

Concubine Wu's expression changed when she heard the words, she sighed, and said: "Sister Jinyang, the lord has always been strong and always said what he said, even if we women in the inner house want to persuade, there is no way to persuade, Sister Jinyang, I don't know how to deal with it in the palace. , What is the father's claim? Has the anger subsided?"

Concubine Wu, as the first side concubine of King Zhongshun, called the Supreme Emperor to call her father, so she should follow the etiquette.

Princess Jinyang sighed: "Father was so angry this time that he fainted. Most of the cases were handed over by Father. It turns out that the emperor still wanted to be punished lightly, but this is all in the hands of the emperor." The mausoleum is up, sister-in-law, Brother Zhongshun really went too far."

Concubine Wu was also a little lost when she heard the words, her eyes were reddish, and she was secretly resentful.

How can the prince be so confused when he tries to do something on the imperial tomb?

Princess Jinyang persuaded: "Sister-in-law, it's all right, wait for another two years, wait for the imperial brother and father to dissipate, and then think of a way, ask for grace, and enjoy the rest of your life. You can't harbor resentment, and now you still have to deal with the deficit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Filling it up, at least in the eyes of the emperor and father, it is still a sincere repentance, what does my sister-in-law think?"

Gongling is bound to be rebuilt, and in the end it will be allocated from the stolen money of these criminal officials, otherwise the treasury will have no money.

Concubine Wu's face was sad, her eyes were red and she said "hmm", which was her answer.

Jia Heng watched this scene quietly, looked at Princess Jinyang, and thought to herself, it was you who made the mistake, but now you are the one who comforted me with gentle words?

Of course, with the cooperation of King Zhongshun's family members, the search will undoubtedly be smoother. For example, the hidden property of King Zhongshun may not have been recorded at all, and may have even been transferred to someone else's name. These property clues provided by the people in King Zhongshun's mansion can be Do not miss a lot.

After the Princess Jinyang comforted the female family members of the Zhongshun Palace, she turned to look at Jia Heng, beckoned and said, "Jia Dudu."

"Your Highness." Jia Heng arched his hands and said.

This Li'er, looks like he's still in good spirits?

"The family assets of Prince Zhongshun's mansion are clearly checked, but you must not be rude to the mansion, and you must not disturb the women's family members. Since the emperor did not order confinement, except for protecting a family member, normal entry and exit in the mansion should be gradually released in the future. "Princess Jinyang said in a cold voice, with a serious look.

As soon as these words came out, Concubine Wu, Concubine Yang and the others behind them showed gratitude and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Concubine Wu looked at that beautiful woman, and even felt a sense of guilt. Back then, the prince made things difficult for Jin Yang, and he didn't want him to repay his grievances with kindness today.

Jia Heng said: "Since I came here to seal it up personally, I was just on guard against such things. Now that the princess is sitting here, I can feel at ease."

Princess Jinyang nodded her head, then turned her beautiful eyes to Concubine Wu, and asked, "Sister-in-law, where is the treasury? Let me bring the accounting room later, and check it out. The pen write-off accounts, and the shortfall was filled as soon as possible."

Concubine Wu was told by Princess Jinyang at this moment that she also wanted to fill up the shortfall in the House of Internal Affairs as soon as possible so that King Zhongshun could make amends as soon as possible, so she hurriedly said, "Sister Jinyang, come with me."

With that said, he led Princess Jinyang to the treasury.

Looking at this scene, Jia Heng shook his head secretly.

This is the same as that of ordinary people. If a relative is imprisoned, if someone says that there is a way to get him out, it is actually just a lie.

However, Jin Yang didn't lie, he made up for the shortfall earlier, and there will be time to ask for grace in the future. After all, in the original book, the Jia family finally returned some houses.

Dispelling some sense of absurdity in my heart, Jia Heng sat in the flower hall, sipping tea and waiting.

After the inspection by King Zhongshun, he needed to plan the affairs of the Ministry of Industry.

The Ministry of Industry now has two servants who are vacant, as well as the Ministry of Household Affairs. Today, Jinyi Mansion has sent pigeons to Yangzhou to arrest Liang Yuan, the servant of the Ministry of Household Department.

And the court meeting the day after tomorrow will inevitably discuss this case.

Just like that, until the night fell and the lanterns came on, the gates of Zhongshun Wangfu, Yimen, the front hall and the backyard were all lit with lanterns, and the lights were brilliant and bright.

Carloads of gold, silver, and goods were also loaded into carriages in the dark and sent to the treasury of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the accounts that were in short supply were also quickly written off.

Although King Zhongshun has had a lot of fun these years, he also has a lot of gold, silver and jewellery, land deeds and house deeds, and shops and villages. As far as the current wealth is concerned, the confiscations are very rich, and there may be surplus.

"Your Highness, it's almost evening. Why don't you come here today, and check tomorrow." Jia Heng entered the hall and asked Princess Jinyang, who was sitting and talking with Concubine Wu at a small table, watching the accounting books. .

Princess Jinyang looked up at the sky, and said softly: "Yes, it looks like the sky is getting dark, so it should be time for dinner."

As she said that, her eyes turned, she looked at Concubine Wu, and asked softly, "Sister-in-law, why don't you come here today?"

Concubine Wu sighed, and hurriedly said: "Sister Jinyang, if you can fill up the shortfall earlier, you will feel at ease. If Miss Jinyang is tired, you can go back first and leave a trustworthy person to check."

"Alright." Princess Jinyang nodded, and said to Xishuang, the female officer beside her, "You stay here and watch, I will go back first."

"Yes, Your Highness." Xishuang responded with a salute.

Princess Jinyang got up and led a group of female officials to leave Zhongshun Palace.

Jia Heng also handed over the errand to Liu Jixian, and then escorted Princess Jinyang back.

(End of this chapter)